FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7
Outdoor Recreation
Mushing through the snow ...
22-mile, 4-6
Dog Junior
Race (for 14-
to 17-year-
old mushers).
Last year,
Bret Brug-
german, a
dentist from
Great Falls,
Montana,
won the
200-mile
race (he’d
also won the
THE OUTDOOR COLUMN
year before
that), running
By Todd Arriola
Alaskan Hus-
This month marks the
kies. Laurie
13th year of the West’s
Warren, a mule trainer
only Iditarod and Yukon
from Council, Idaho, won
Quest qualifi er, a 200-mile
the 100-mile race, running
adventure, dubbed the
Alaskan Huskies. Jane
Eagle Cap Extreme Sled
Devlin, a professional dog
Dog Race, which includes
trainer from Bend, won
the Wallowa Mountains
the 62-mile race, running
in its course, and the
Siberian Huskies.
Fergi Ski Area, nine miles
This year, the lineup of
southeast of Joseph, as its
mushers for the 200-mile
starting point.
race includes John Kun-
Slated for Wednesday,
zler, an energy production
January 18, through Satur-
fi eld man, from Vernal,
day, January 21, the event,
Utah, who will be running
hosted by Enterprise-based Alaskan Huskies; Bryce
Eagle Cap Extreme (ECX), Mumford, a U.S. Postal
begins with Vet Checks,
Service Mail Carrier, from
at 9 a.m. in Joseph, and at
Preston, Idaho, who will be
1 p.m. in Enterprise, on
running Alaskan Huskies;
Wednesday. That same
Neal Bowlen, a heavy
day, all are invited to the
equipment operator, from
Musher Potluck, at 6 p.m.,
Park City, Utah, who will
held at the Joseph Commu- be running Seppala Sibe-
nity Center.
rian Huskies; Warren, who
The actual start of
won the 100-mile race last
the race is on Thursday,
year, this year also running
January 19, at noon, at the
Alaskan Huskies; Scott
Fergi Ski Area, with the
White, a custom home
Awards Banquet conclud-
builder, from Snohomish,
ing the event, on Saturday,
Washington, who will be
January 21, at 5:30 p.m.,
running Alaskan Hus-
at the Joseph Community
kies; Mark Stamm, a boat
Center.
repairer and builder, from
Distances for this year
Riverside, Washington,
include the 200-mile, 12-
who will be running Alas-
Dog Race (the Iditarod and kan Huskies; and Clayton
Yukon Quest qualifi er);
Perry, a home center owner
the 100-mile, 8-Dog Race;
and civil engineer, from
the 31-mile, 6-Dog Mid-
Power, Montana, who
Distance Pot Race; and the
will be running Alaskan
Huskies.
The lineup of mush-
ers for the 100-mile race
includes Adam Buch, a
grunt, from Cranbrook,
British Columbia, Canada,
who will be running
Siberian Huskies; David
Bush, a carpenter, from
Bend, who will be run-
ning Alaskan Huskies;
Gabe Dunham, a U.S.
Forest Service Wildlife
Technician, who will be
running Alaskan Huskies;
Dina Lund, a physical
therapist, from Okanogan,
Washington, who will be
running Alaskan Huskies;
Hugo Antonucci, a retired
confi guration analyst, from
Adin, California, who will
be running Alaskan and
Siberian Huskies; Karen
Ramstead, a dog musher,
from Perryvale, Alberta,
Canada, who will be run-
ning Siberian Huskies;
Bino Fowler, an electri-
cian, from Bend, who will
be running Alaskan Hus-
kies; and April Cox, a Red
Barn General Store clerk,
from Adin, California, who
will be running Siberian
Huskies.
The lineup of mushers
for the 31-mile race in-
cludes Scott Barber; David
Hassilev, a U.S. Coast
Guard retiree, and semi-re-
tired IT professional, from
Priest River, Idaho, who
will be running Alaskan
Huskies, and Chinooks;
Linda Pierce, from Okano-
gan, Washington, who
will be running Alaskan
Huskies; Connie Star, a
semi-retiree, and dog sled
tour guide, from Cle Elum,
Washington, who will be
running Siberian and Alas-
kan Huskies; and Susan
Parraga, Mt. Joseph Family
Foods Assistant Manager,
from Joseph, who will be
running Siberian Huskies,
and a “token” Rat Terrier.
The lineup of mush-
ers for the 22-mile race
includes Christina Gibson,
a dog musher, from Riv-
erside, Washington, who
will be running Alaskan
Huskies.
The Pot Race’s winnings
consist entirely of that
race’s entry fees, divided
up as follows: 50% to
fi rst place, 30% to second
place, and 20% to third
place. Other winnings will
include: for the 200-mile
race, $1,700 for fi rst place,
$925 for second, $575 for
third, $300 for fourth, $200
for fi fth, $150 for sixth,
$75 for seventh through
tenth, and $250 for the
best cared-for team; for the
100-mile race, $850 for
fi rst place, $500 for sec-
ond, $300 for third, $175
for fourth, $125 for fi fth,
$75 for sixth and seventh,
$50 for eighth through
tenth, and $250 for best
cared-for team; and for the
31-mile and 22-mile races,
50% of the pot for fi rst
place, 30% for second, and
20% for third.
“The Eagle Cap Ex-
treme runs through the
rugged Wallowa Moun-
tains in Northeast Oregon.
It has been described as
challenging, fun, and
drop-dead beautiful by
participants and fans
alike. This all-volunteer
race receives high marks
for professionalism, and
for being very well run.
We focus on making the
mushers’ experience as
safe, comfortable, and fun
as possible. The mushers
and their dogs really love
their fans, especially all
the school kids that make a
special fi eld trip to see the
event...” said ECE.
New Oregon BLM director named
Bureau of Land Man-
agement veteran Jamie
Connell, currently Director
of the BLM's Montana/
Dakotas State Offi ce, has
been named the new Direc-
tor of the BLM's Oregon/
Washington State Offi ce
based in Portland, Oregon.
BLM Director Neil
Kornze, who announced
the appointment today,
noted that "Jamie brings
extensive experience and
a depth of natural resource
knowledge with her to her
new post.
She understands the
challenges of public land
management at a time
when the American people
recognize the scenic,
recreational, and economic
values of these lands as
never before."
Connell, a 31-year BLM
veteran, has served since
October 2010 as head of
the BLM Montana/Dakotas
State Offi ce, based in Bill-
ings, Montana.
In her new capacity,
Connell will oversee more
than 16 million acres of
public land in Oregon and
Washington that comprise
a mix of heavily forested
lands west of the Cascades
and the dry, sagebrush
ecosystems of the Great
Basin.
These BLM-managed
lands support diverse uses,
resources, and values, in-
cluding recreation, wilder-
ness, wildlife, timber har-
vesting, livestock grazing,
wild horses and burros,
and mineral extraction.
Connell, a native of
Butte, Montana, received
her B.S. in Petroleum
Engineering from Montana
Tech in 1985, when she
began her BLM career as
a petroleum engineer in
Miles City, Montana. Con-
nell's managerial experi-
ence includes stints for the
BLM and the U.S. Forest
Service in locations across
the West, including Great
Falls and Malta, Montana;
Boise, Idaho; and the cities
of Montrose, Silverthorne,
Glenwood Springs, and
Grand Junction, all in
Colorado.
Connell and her husband
John enjoy hiking, skiing,
canoeing, upland bird
hunting, and fl y fi shing.
Submitted Photo.
Jamie Connell.
Why advertise with us?
David Conn
david@thebakercountypress.com
or call 541.523.5524
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ODFW Weekly
Recreation
Report
NE OREGON VIEWING
BAKER COUNTY
Bighorn sheep can be seen in the Burnt River Canyon west of
Durkee or along the Snake River Road south of Richland. The
best viewing is in the early morning and late in the evening.
Winter bird species are starting to migrate through the area.
Bald and golden eagles can be seen along the Snake River.
Take the Snake River Road between Richland and Huntington.
Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are good times to
view wildlife.
Elkhorn Wildlife Area is known for the Rocky Mountain elk
and mule deer herds that frequent the area during the winter.
When snow covers the ground, ODFW staff feed elk and deer
to encourage them to stay in the higher elevations and out of
agricultural fi elds.
There are two good viewing sites. The Anthony Creek site is
located about eight miles west of I-84 on North Powder River
Lane. From I-84 take the North Powder Exit (Exit 285). About 150
elk can be seen here on any given day. From the overlook on
Auburn Road, watch hundreds of elk and mule deer. It is on the
south side of Old Auburn Road, which branches off Highway 7
about six miles south of Baker City.
GRANT COUNTY
Bald Eagles are starting to move into the John Day Valley, they
can be observed along Hwy 26 between Prairie City and Dayville.
Bighorn sheep may be viewed from the South Fork near the
Murderers Creek road. Early mornings are your best chances for
catching them out on the rocky outcrops.
UNION COUNTY
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area
Note: All visitors must have in their possession a free daily
permit to access the wildlife area. Permits are available at
several self-check-in stations at entry points and parking lots.
Wildlife viewers and anglers also need a parking permit to park
on the wildlife area. The $10 daily or $30 annual permit can be
purchased online or at an ODFW offi ce that sells licenses or at
a license sales agent. Learn more about ODFW’s Wildlife Area
Parking Permit Program.
The Tule Lake Unit, including the auto route, is closed to daily
access. The area, and the rest of the wildlife area, is open Satur-
days, Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays during the pheasant
quail and waterfowl hunting seasons. The Glass Hill unit is open
7 days a week to foot and horse traffi c only. Visitors are advised
to carefully read posted signs and consult the wildlife area
administrative rules. Rules that apply to all areas are at the top
(at the link), and then scroll down to page 8, #635-008-120, for
additional rules specifi c to Ladd Marsh. Dogs are not permitted
within the Wildlife Area, including the Glass Hill Unit, on or off
leash except during authorized game bird hunting seasons.
There are numerous quality viewing opportunities from county
roads that pass through the area. Binoculars or a spotting scope
will help as many animals are best viewed from a distance. As
hunting seasons continue, wildlife viewers should be aware of
other users and consider avoiding locations where hunters are
set up.
Red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks and northern harriers
can be seen perched on poles and fences. Great horned owls
can often be seen on power poles at dawn or dusk. American
kestrels are common throughout the area and are often seen
hunting from perch sites. Other raptors using the area include
Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, prairie falcons, and both
bald and golden eagles.
White-crowned sparrows are present in good numbers and
song sparrows are widespread and abundant. Northern shrikes,
while not common can be found at various locations on the area.
Nearly all ponds and wetlands are locked in ice. Ducks can be
seen using grain fi elds and in fl ight to and from feeding and loaf-
ing areas off the wildlife area.
Elk and deer have moved to lower elevations. They can often
be seen from county roads by glassing the slopes of Glass Hill
or across the fl ats to the east. Use caution to avoid spooking
wildlife into roads or highways for their safety and the safety of
the traveling public.
UMATILLA COUNTY
Columbia Basin Wildlife Areas
Willow Creek and Coyote Springs Wildlife Areas are both found
next to interstate 84 and the Columbia River and have excel-
lent viewing for wetland and riparian obligate bird species. The
upland areas are also available for savanna and shrub steppe
species of birds. Willow Creek has an ample deer herd and the
evidence of beaver activity can be seen on the Willow Creek
delta area of the wildlife area.
The Irrigon Wildlife Area holds riparian and wetland habitat and
hosts a number of species of birds associated with each habitat.
One can see a number of waterfowl and wading bird species in
the pothole pond areas. Painted turtles are also common in the
pond areas. White pelicans can be commonly found along the
Columbia River as well. Geese and ducks are beginning to build
along the Columbia River and will be commonly trading back and
forth along the river.
Hermiston area
Recently, locals report seeing American robins, black-billed
magpies, belted kingfi sher, downy woodpecker, bohemian
waxwings, northern fl ickers, white-crowned sparrow and yellow-
rumped warbler. Raptors in the area include American kestrel,
bald eagles, northern harriers, and red-tailed hawks. Waterfowl
seen include American Coot, American wigeon, Canada geese,
common merganser, hooded merganser, northern shoveler and
snow geese. Shorebirds and other waterbirds observed include
American white pelican, Great blue heron, Black-crowned night-
heron, ring-billed gull and Western grebe.
Umatilla County Uplands
Fall migration is over and the uplands and forested riparian
areas will have a number of wintering birds using those areas.
ELK will be more common in the early morning and late after-
noon in mid and lower elevation areas now that wintering condi-
tions are in place. Roads moving upslope from the valley fl oor to
the mountain areas would be best to see these animals.
WHITE-TAILED DEER are common along the foothills of the
Blue Mountains and can be seen either early morning or evening
in those areas. Mule deer are found in better numbers in the
desert and mountain areas.
WALLOWA COUNTY
Common raptors in the open areas of the county in winter are
red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks, prairie falcons, golden
eagles, and occasionally gyrfalcons. Look for bald eagles and
ospreys perched in the larger trees along Wallowa Lake shore or
on power poles near water in the valley.
Most elk have left the Zumwalt Prairie now and moved onto the
breaks above Little Sheep Creek or the Imnaha River. Try driving
the Lower Imnaha River Road and looking carefully on slopes
west of the river on Long Ridge. These areas are county roads
that run through private property, so please respect the land-
owner’s privacy and remain on the county road and park out of
the traffi c lanes while watching the elk. Once you fi nd a herd, use
binoculars or a spotting scope to observe the animals.
The breeding season birds have moved south now, but we
have a number of interesting migrants from the north still in
the area. Seen recently on Wallowa Lake were Canada geese,
mallards, wigeon, mergansers, buffl eheads, pied-billed grebes,
as well as both Barrow’s and common goldeneyes. Other winter
migrants include grey-crowned rosy fi nches that regularly winter
on the prairie areas north of Enterprise and a gyrfalcon seen in
the Upper Prairie Creek area.